ANDREW JACKSON

Andrew Jackson "Jack" Gatlin was born October 25, 1855 near Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., Missouri. He was the son of Alonzo Gatlin and Mary Ann Young. "Jack" died September 14, 1915 in San Saba Co., Texas and was buried September 15, 1915 in Rockspring Cem, Goldthwaite, Mills Co., Texas.

Andrew Jackson's mother, Mary Ann (Young) Gatlin died while Alonzo was an imprisoned Confederate soldier. Jack's uncle, Bobby Young, took Jack and his siblings to Arkansas to live with him.

After Alonzo Gatlin was released from prison in Illinois, he came back and married his second wife, Mahala Jane Logan. "Jack" was soon big enough to plow the fields. As the story goes, when Jack turned eighteen he walked to Arkansas to be with his mother's family.

On November 10, 1880, Jack married Lula Caroline Lonis near Lockhart, Caldwell Co., Texas. Lula was born September 5, 1858 in Tullahoma, Coffee Co., Tennessee. Her parents were Henry Clay Lonis and Julia Ann Harrison. Lula died June 9, 1956 in Goldthwaite, Mills Co., Texas and is buried at Rockspring Cemetery.

In 1883, Jack Gatlin purchased the Nobe Frost farm in Brown or Mills County, Texas and raised sheep and some cattle.

In 1889 Jack owned the "Red Store' in Goldthwaite, Mills County, Texas. This was a mercantile type store that sold groceries, dry goods and farm equipment. In 1893 he purchased or traded for a ranch in the Rock Springs community. In 1908 he built a house for his family in College Heights.

Between 1898 and 1915, Jack established stores in Goldthwaite, Brownwood, Locker, and San Saba.

Andrew Jackson "Jack" Gatlin died September 14, 1915 in San Saba, San Saba Co., Texas. He was buried the following day at Rockspring Cemetery, Goldthwaite, Mills Co., Texas.

Goldthwaite Eagle 9-16-1915

A.J. GATLIN DEAD
Mr. A.J. Gatlin died in San Saba Tuesday afternoon and his remains were brought to Rock Springs that night, and funeral services were held the next day, interment being made in Rock Springs cemetery.
Mr. Gatlin was one og the best known men in this section. For many years he was engaged in the mercantile business at this place. Five or six years ago he opened a business at Brownwood and later moved it to San Saba, where he continued as merchant and cotton buyer until the time of his death. His family was never moved from their home at Rock Springs, however, and he claimed Mills county as his home and spent a considerable mount of his time here, having returned to San Saba only a few days ago to look after business matters. He was a most energetic and far-seeing business man and one of broad ideas and high principles. It has frequenly been said of him truthfully that he was indeed a big man - one who had no small idea or ideals. No man can say of A.J. Gatlin that he wronged him by word or deed and none can say he ever turned a deserving one away empty handed. He was one of the biggest-hearted men this county ever claimed as a citizen and one of the most public spirited men ever engaged in business at this place.
He had been in bad health for a number of years and only recently returned from Marlin, where he went with the hope that the hot baths would be beneficial to him. While his condition was known to be serious, his friends here and even the members of the family were not prepared for the distressing announcement of his death. A few days ago his son was summoned to his bedside, but he improved to such an extent that the young man returned home. His death caused universal sorrow among the people of this city and county.
Mr. Gatlin left a wife and four sons and two (three) daughters, all of whom have the heart-felt sympathy of many sorrowing friends.

San Saba News 9-17-1915

A.J. Gatlin Dead
Mr. A.J. Gatlin, one of San Saba's most prominent business men, died Tuesday afternoon, September fourteenth.
He had been in poor health for several months but was able to be out until a few days before when he was in an auto accident. Together with some friends he was out for a drive and when the car reached the top of the hill the engine went dead, causing the car to back. He was at first thought to not be seriously hurt but he received internal injuries which perhaps caused his death. The family resides at Goldthwaite and was notified arriving shortly after his death.
Undertaker Evans took charge of the body and arrangements were made for interment which was in the cemetery at Rock Springs community near Goldthwaite Wednesday.
In spite of the inclemency of the weather a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends were present to pay their last sad rites.
Rev. Joe Frizzel, Baptist minister, conducted the funeral services.
Deceased had been a resident of Goldthwaite, Brownwood and San Saba for a number of years where he had extensive business interests and has a host of friends who were made sad when they learned of his death.